Islamophobia

Abstract

This chapter examines the emergence of Islamophobia after September 11, 2001, and its continued rise in the early twenty-first century with conspiracy theories about Sharia, Christian fears about the future of America as a “Christian nation,” and the presidential campaign and election of Donald Trump. The primary sources in this chapter focus on the birther controversy surrounding President Barack Obama, the racialization of Islam and attacks on Sikhs, media and popular culture stereotypes of Islam as un-American, violent, and oppressive toward women, and the expansion of Islamophobia during the Trump presidency. Various sources, ranging from tweets and radio transcripts to T-shirts and internet art to news interviews and executive orders, demonstrate the growth and pervasiveness of Islamophobia in the twenty-first century United States.